Blog

By Diana Omueza
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) has expressed `deep sadness’ over the murder of Saifura Hussaini Ahmed, a midwife and humanitarian worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Borno by Boko Haram.

Mr Sesugh Akume, the National Publicity Secretary, ANRP, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja expressed deep condolences to the family and loved ones of Saifura, and wished them the strength to bear the loss.

The late Saifura Hussaini was abducted by the terrorists on March 1, alongside two other colleagues, Alice Loksha Nggadah of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Hauwa Muhammad Liman, also of ICRC.

Akume said that images of Saifura Hussaini had early been released by the terrorists before and after she was gruesomely shot in the head.

He said that messages warning that the same fate would befall the other two abductees in the next one month if nothing was done were also released.

It would be recalled that the three aid workers had released messages, one handwritten note, and the other a voice message pleading to their employers, their families, and President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure their rescue.

“We were there for the vulnerable but now we are vulnerable,” they had cried out.

Akume expressed disappointment at the manner in which the international aid agencies, ICRC and UNICEF had handled the unfortunate incident.

“This was rather handled in a lackadaisical manner leading to the murder of one of the abductees,’’ he said.

He lamented that such agencies had a dichotomy between ‘expatriate’ and ‘local’ staff, noting that the three compatriots were deemed local staff and therefore treated as such.

Akume expressed doubts that the treatment the three compatriots received would not have been accorded them if they staff from other countries.

He insisted that all lives mattered equally and must be accorded same dignity and importance.

He expressed disappointment at the manner the Federal Government had attended to the matter, noting that there was no communication on the murder of its citizen and the fate of those in captivity.

“The president has not only been silent but has been occupied with political activities in the light of this gruesome murder of its citizen.

“This insensitivity of our collective conscience and consciousness, as well as trivialising the lives of Nigerians stand vehemently condemned.

“We appeal to Mr President to come to the aid and rescue of the life of Nigerians,’’ he said.

He said that the threat to murder Sufaira’s colleagues and other dear compatriots in captivity should not be allowed to happen and urged that all necessary measures to ensure their safe release should be adopted. (NAN)
DOM/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Training
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) The Tajuddeen Centre of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Tudun-Wada, Zaria said it had trained 6,000 people in different skills acquisitions in five years to enable them become self-reliant.

The Centre ICT Manager, Alhaji Buhari Musa-Bizara, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

NAN reports that the centre was established in 2013by Dr Abbas Tajuddeen, member representing Zaria Federal Constituency, on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) at the House of Representatives.

Musa-Bizara said the centre had been training people, free-of-charge under four functional units: Computer section, General Cosmetics, Tailoring Bags and Tailoring Design.

He said the centre consisted of nine staff, adding that three of the staff were products of the centre who had been employed in view of their outstanding performance.

“The centre, however, commenced training on Feb 12, 2014 with 39 cosmetic trainees.

“Today, I am glad and proudly boast to tell the whole world that Tajuddeen Centre has successfully trained about 6,000 people from its inception to July 2018,” he said.

Musa-Bizara said the centre had recently graduated 3,350 third set of trainees.

He added that out of the 3,350 number, 302 were primary and secondary school teachers who had undergone training in computer.

The manager said that 285 students were also trained on various skills.

“About 110 people were trained on rice and cassava farming in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Agriculture. “

According to him, 26 people also receive training in metal fabrication, assisted by National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

He said 60 others were trained on tomato processing and preservation in partnership with National Incubation Centre, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

“Another 60 people were specially trained on vocational trade for youths and women in collaboration with National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

“Also, 29 people were trained on cosmetology in collaboration with NDE.

“The remaining 2,763 were trained on computer, cosmetology, tailoring bags and tailoring design respectively.

He said the centre was established mainly to serve the people by providing them the opportunity to train and re-train in different entrepreneurial skills and expose them to modern ways of becoming self-reliant. (NAN)
KLM/VOE/DUA

CAVB backs Nigeria to host more cadet volleyball championships
Volleyball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), says it is backing Nigeria to host more international competitions, describing the ongoing U-21 Men’s Africa Championship as hitch-free.
The suggestion was made by CAVB Executive Director Howyda Mondy while assessing the ongoing championship in Abuja.
According to Mondy, with the level of success achieved, more under age Championships would be staged in Nigeria, because hosting more international tournaments will help promote the growth of the game.
“I’m very satisfied with the championship so far and I want to congratulate Nigeria for what they are doing at the grassroots.
“They just won the U-19 Youth Games and qualified for next year’s World Championship, for so many years Nigeria was not in the international arena, but now they are back.
“I’ll send an appreciation letter for the good standard of the organisation and secondly, I hope we organise more competitions in Nigeria because it will increase the awareness of volleyball.
“It will also increase the technical level and give chances to the players because if you compete in your home land with supporters and people around you, you’re motivated a lot,” Mondy said.
The Executive Director further commended the Nigeria Volleyball Federation led by Musa Nimrod for putting up a befitting competition.
“Nigeria is one of the greatest countries in Africa; I’ve been to many states in Nigeria and have attended many Championships.
“Maybe for the last ten years after the All Africa Games held in 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria was out of the organisation of volleyball event.
“I’m very happy that Nigeria is returning back to the organisation and If you talk about the level of organisation, the level is good and all the teams are happy.
“The technical level is good and it is very surprising that the technical level in Africa now is different; this for me is the best way to develop volleyball in Africa,” Mondy added. (NAN)
BAO/ERO/SA
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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Salif Atojoko

Invasion

By Emmanuel Antswen
Makurdi, Sept. 19, 2019 (NAN) Mrs Mimi Oribibi-Azape, a former Executive Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), has alleged that policemen invaded her private residence in Makurdi and made away with her personal vehicle, Toyota Hilux, and undisclosed items.
Oribibi raised the alarm in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Makurdi.
She said she was away when the officers besieged her house on Tuesday evening without a search warrant.
Oribibi, who is eyeing the Benue North East Senatorial seat, had alleged that the police invaded her private residence while she was absent and took away the vehicle and other valuables yet to be identified.
Oribibi, who was recently sacked by Gov Ortom during a major cabinet shakeup, alleged that the people who invaded her house were police personnel sent by Ortom to take away the vehicle.
She described the act as bizarre, claiming that even if the governor wanted to recover an official vehicle in her possession, a Prado Jeep, he should have written to her on his intention to recover it.
The Senatorial aspirant said she had written to the governor through her lawyers intimating him of her intention to challenge her sack in court because it contravened the conditions contained in her appointment.
She said a 30-day notice to sue had already been served on the governor and said this was to enable him decide either to pay her entitlements for the remaining period of her tenure or recall her to work.
She also questioned the decision to invade her house in her absence without a search warrant and described the act as illegal.
“I am no longer an appointee of the governor; he does not have any right to authorize police personnel to bash into my house just like that without a search warrant.”
In a reaction to the alleged police invasion, the Spokesman for the Benue Police Command, DSP Moses Yamu, told NAN that the command was not aware of the alleged invasion and did not authorise any of its personnel to carry out any raid.
He, however, said the command had ordered full investigation into the matter and assured the general public of its resolve to remain neutral in discharging its lawful duties.
“The command is not aware and did not authorise the raid of anybody’s house.”
He, however, said that the Benue government had a task force saddled with the onerous responsibility of recovering vehicles from former government appointees.
“Information is that the State Government has a task force saddled with the responsibility of recovering government vehicles from former government and political appointees.
“The Commissioner of Police, however, has ordered immediate investigation into the allegation, while assuring the general public of the command’s resolve to remain neutral in discharging her lawful duty.” (NAN)
AEB/PD/TA
Edited by Philip Dzeremo/Tajudeen Atitebi

Manager, accountant face N10m theft charge

Fraud

By Vivian Ibobo

Ikeja, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) Two office workers, Oladoyin Ogunyinka and Folashade Junaid, on Wednesday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding their employer of N10 million.

Ogunyinka, 35, an accountant who resides at Yaba area of Lagos, and Junaid, 41, a manager who stays at Ajah, in Lagos, pleaded not guilty to charges of obtaining money under false pretences, conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Victor Eruada, said that the defendants committed the offences between January 2017 and February 2018 at USAF Global Resources Nigeria Limited, Ikeja area of Lagos State.

Eruada said that the defendants, who were members of staff of the company, obtained the amount from their employer, Mr Olakunle Olawoore.

“The accused obtained N10 million from Olawoore under the guise of acquiring him a house, which they never did.

“They converted the money to their personal use,’’ the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 411 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes 15 years jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.

The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Dan-Oni adjourned the case until Dec. 3, for mention. (NAN)
IZU/OFN/SOA

Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Oluwole Sogunle

2 housekeepers bolt with employer’s 10,000 pounds (N4.7m) in Lagos

Housekeepers
By Vivian Ibobo
Ikeja, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) Two housekeepers — Favour Sunday and Christopher Ikpam — who allegedly stole their employer’s
10,000 pounds (N4.7 million), on Wednesday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Sunday, 27, and Ikpam 27, who reside with their employer at No 38 Alhaji Jubril Laide St., Magodo, Lagos, are facing a two-count
charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The accused, according to Prosecutor Victor Eruada, committed the offences with others still at large on July 24 at their
employer’s residence.

Eruada said the accused stole the money belonging to the complainant (name withheld) from her bedroom.

“Nsonwu came back from London on the said date and kept the money in her bedroom.

“The housekeepers, who had been working for the complainant for some years, entered her room, stole the 10,000 pounds
(N4.7million) and disappeared.

“The accused were apprehended by the police after the complainant reported the case to them,” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

They , however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted the duo bail in the sum of N2 million each with two responsible sureties each
in like sum.

She said one of the sureties must be a relation of the accused while other sureties should show evidence of two years tax
payment to the Lagos State Government.

Dan-Oni adjourned the case until Oct. 3 for mention. (NAN)
IZU/DA

Edited by Dele Akinsola

Road

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) The Niger Government is spending about N2 billion on the reconstruction of the 84 kilometer Minna-Bida road, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, has said

Balarabe made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday.

He said that the road had been in deplorable condition due to the activities of heavy duty trucks plying it.

He explained that the project had reached about 75 per cent completion and expressed satisfaction with the level of the work done so far on the road.

“Our major challenges are the excesses of the heavy duty vehicle operators coming from Lagos to different part of the country as the state remains the gateway

” We are spending billions of naira yearly to repair federal and state roads as a result of heavy duty trucks being loaded above their approved capacity,’’ he said.

The commissioner called on leaders of heavy duty trucks association to caution their members on the danger of overloading.

Balarabe called on road users to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations, to avoid unnecessary road accidents. (NAN)

AAG/AOS/EMO
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Ejike Obeta

Commendation
By Sunday John
Lafia, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Muhammad Sanusi-Liman, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lafia (FULafia) has commended Gov. Umaru Al-Makura for awarding the contracts for construction of roads in the university.

The VC gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia.

According to him, the governor has awarded the contracts for the construction of network of roads at the permanent site of the university.

The VC, who said that he held a meeting with the construction firm, added that the governor would also construct the roads linking the university’s teaching hospital.

Sanusi-Liman said that the Al-Makura had also donated additional 100 hectares of land to the university within the vicinity of teaching hospital.

“Al-Makura has done a lot to this institution from inception in 2012.’’

He said that the governor had donated the site for the State secretariat, donated the teaching hospital, built halls and donated 206 hectares of land for the permanent site.

The VC said that the Al-Makura had also built a guest house, VC and Registrar’s lodges, donated transformer and a constructed female hostel among others in the university.

Sanusi-Liman also attributed the success story of the university so far to the commitment of the staff and students of the university.

He therefore promised that the management would continue to work round the clock toward creating conducive environments for both staff and students. (NAN)
SDJ/COO/GY
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Grace Yussuf

Flood
By Dada Ahmed
Lokoja, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Yusuf Oseni, a Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi, has commended the Federal Government for its political will to find lasting solution to flood in the country.

Oseni, who is gunning for the Kogi central senatorial district seat, gave the commendation in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has declared national disaster in Niger, Kogi, Anambra and Delta States due to flood disaster thatn affected them.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N3 billion for the first stage of preparedness, response and disaster mitigation against the flood across the country.

Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states are also under close monitoring among other measures.

Oseni said that “the flooding which has become a recurring decimal in many states, including Kogi, is giving one much concern. We all must rise to the occasion by providing solution to the menace.

NAN gathers that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA had activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure.

Oseni said, “It is my prayer and hope that if elected, I will contribute immensely to the legislation in form of bills, motions among others in arresting the flood and its menace in kogi.“

The aspirant, who sympathised with flood victims in Kogi and other affected states, however, urged them to relocate to safe areas and desist from constructing buildings near rivers.

Oseni urged NEMA to enhance efforts in bringing relief materials for the victims of the disaster. (NAN)
DUA/IS
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Farmer jailed 6 months for stealing 13 crates of eggs

Theft

By Amen Gajira

Minna, Sept. 19, 2018 (NAN) A 28-year-old farmer, Amisu Bello, is to serve six months in prison after a Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger, convicted him of stealing 13 crates of egg.

Bello was docked alongside one Shefiu Yahaya on a two-count charge of theft and receiving stolen property, contrary to Sections 288 and 317 of the Penal Code Law.

The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Ogiri, had told the court that one Isa Azeez, the Manager of IK Farms, Gidan Mangoro, Minna, reported the matter at the Kpakungu Police Station on Sept. 17.

Ogiri said that Bello went to IK farm and stole 13 crates of eggs and when he was arrested, he confessed to having previously stolen 12 crates on five different occasions.

He also said that police investigation revealed that Bello was in the habit of selling the eggs to Yahaya, the second accused person.

When the charges were read to them, Bello pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency while Yahaya pleaded not guilty.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Ramatu Adamu, sentenced Bello to six months in prison with an option of a fine of N10, 000.

Adamu also ordered him to pay N17, 000 to the complainant as compensation.

He, however, discharged and acquitted Yahaya of any wrongdoing after establishing the fact that he bought the eggs at their market value without the knowledge that they were stolen. (NAN)

AMEN/YMU/EMO

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Edited by Yakubu Uba/Ejike Obeta